15 centuries, 9,644 runs and 395 wickets in first-class cricket. A 61, two hole-in-ones and two albatrosses on the golf course.
Peter Trego was a force of nature and the embodiment of versatility in English domestic cricket for over two decades, and perhaps one of the finest players to not receive an England cap.
Lighting up grounds for Somerset, Nottinghamshire and franchise leagues around the globe, dominance in all formats of the game made Trego an invaluable all-rounder and the type of player you’d be desperate to have in your team.
Now, after hanging up his bat and bowling boots, the Somerset man is making waves in golf, turning his long-term hobby into a second life in professional sport.
Trego is now muscling a smaller white ball and having come agonisingly close to the final stages of Open Qualifying, he’s proving that retirement from one sport can be the beginning of another.
A recently made cut on the Clutch Pro Tour at St Mellion Estate, a feeder to the DP World Tour, suggests Trego isn’t far away.
Golf365 sat down to discuss all with the Somerset County Cricket icon, including the sting of Open Qualifying Finals heartbreak and the importance of finding a new passion.
Can you tell us more about your experience with Open Qualifying and how close you were to making it through?
This was the closest I’ve been in three open qualifying regional series, which was both exciting and frustrating. I was one shot away from qualifying, with some particularly painful moments involving three dead-weight lip-outs.
These missed opportunities were gut-wrenching, especially since I was one of the later finishers and watched someone from a few groups ahead bump me out by a single shot.
I was even an alternate on Tuesday morning, hoping against hope that someone might get stuck in traffic and create an opportunity for me to get in. While I didn’t make the final cut, it felt like a significant step forward in my professional golf journey.
What are your long-term ambitions in golf, especially considering you started your professional journey later in life?
In the short term, I’m focused on becoming more competitive on the Clutch Tour. I’m 44 now, and I believe I can continue improving incrementally. My ultimate goal is to potentially play a few Challenge Tour events in the next couple of years, which would be a significant achievement.
Looking further ahead, my long-term aspiration is to be competitive on the European Seniors Tour when I turn 50. I’m committed to keeping myself fit, strong, and maintaining a combination of technique and athletic ability that will allow me to compete at a high level as I get older.
How did your transition from cricket to professional golf come about, and what motivates you to continue competing?
The transition was driven by my competitive nature and the void left after retiring from professional cricket. During COVID, when everyone had more time, I rapidly improved my handicap from scratch to plus four. Several good players suggested I should pursue professional golf, which intrigued me.
What I missed most about professional sports was the daily opportunity to improve and challenge myself. Even now, with other work commitments, I maintain my competitive edge by practising late at night. I’ll often go to the practice green and hit 100 balls, chip, and putt. It’s about that constant drive to maximise my potential and stay connected to the sport I love.
Can you elaborate on your home golf courses and how they’ve contributed to your development?
I’m attached to two fantastic courses that offer very different challenges. Mendip Spring Golf Club in Congresbury is a links course that provides a traditional, challenging coastal golf experience. Western Super Mare Golf Course, where I’m also a member, is a parkland course with numerous water features.
These contrasting environments have been crucial to my game development. The links course teaches you precision and adaptability to wind and terrain, while the parkland course requires strategic thinking around water hazards.
What’s your most memorable golfing achievement, and what makes it special?
My most remarkable achievement is shooting a 10-under-par 61 in Nottingham. Beyond that, I’m particularly proud of my two hole-in-ones and two albatrosses.
What makes these moments special isn’t just the technical skill required, but the element of precision, luck, and the sheer joy of executing something extraordinary. In golf, as in cricket, these moments remind you why you love the sport – those instances of near-perfect execution that make all the practice and dedication worthwhile.
What is your dream course to play, and why?
Augusta National is the ultimate dream for any golfer. Specifically, I’m fascinated by the 13th hole – a legendary par five with a dramatic dogleg. I imagine myself cracking a perfect drive that lands just short of the pine straw on the right side, then having a five-iron approach to the green.
Are you laying up?
I’d absolutely go for the green in two, no matter the circumstances. It’s a hole that represents the perfect blend of strategy, skill, and pure golfing ambition. The history of that course, with its iconic moments and legendary players, makes it the most tantalising venue I could imagine playing.
Can you tell me about your golf equipment and why you choose specific brands?
I play with the Callaway Epic Triple Diamond driver, which suits my playing style perfectly. For golf balls, I use the Callaway Chrome Tour Triple Diamond. The Triple Diamond line is specifically designed for lower spin and performance.
What I love about this ball is its low trajectory off the tee, which gives me excellent control. It doesn’t shape too dramatically, feels great off the irons, and provides exceptional short game control.
As a professional golfer, equipment nuances matter immensely, and these Callaway products have been instrumental in helping me refine my game and maintain consistency.
What’s harder – scoring a first-class cricket hundred or breaking 70 on a tough golf course?
That’s a fascinating comparison. In my earlier golf days, breaking par was an obsession that often eluded me. I’d frequently get to three under with a couple of holes remaining and then mentally collapse, ending up at level par or one over.
This psychological challenge is remarkably similar to the concentration required in cricket when approaching a century. Both require intense focus for about four hours and demand mental resilience.
Interestingly, my experience in cricket helped me unlock a concentration level in golf that I previously struggled with.
While I’ve now shot several under-par rounds, I still believe scoring a first-class hundred in cricket remains the more satisfying achievement – it’s a testament to sustained performance and mental strength.
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Article Link: Peter Trego: Meet the former cricket star...now playing pro golf!